What Makes Multifactor Authentication Important?

June 29, 2018

Taking advantage of multifactor authentication technology makes for a more comprehensive approach to security.

Multifactor authentication seems to be everywhere these days. Even your phone, email accounts, and bank info can all come bundled with authentication options to keep you even safer—but what is multifactor authentication? In essence, this just means taking two forms of ID from someone before allowing them access, either to a piece of software or a physical location. For example, when unlocking your phone after a hard reset, you may need to provide a PIN number as well as your fingerprint. Why is multifactor authentication so widely sought and why has it become such a critical component of security?

Cut Down on Identity Theft

Any system that intends to authenticate identity is prone to identity theft, but when you interface multiple of those systems together, it becomes much more difficult. Let’s take ID card readers as an example. Someone may be able to copy that keycard and redistribute it for nefarious purposes. If, however, you require multiple forms of identity—say a keycard and a face scan courtesy of a driver camera—it becomes much more difficult for anyone to circumvent that technology.

Less Intrusive Credentials

A lot of traditional means of security—that is, physical locks and keys or stops by security personnel—end up taking a lot of time, costing a lot of money over time, and being susceptible to vulnerabilities. Adding multifactor authentication methods into your security plan can keep things moving. Imagine a secure parking facility. Traditionally, you would need a security officer to keep track of who comes in and out. An alternative would involve a few means of authenticating identity that are capable of seamless integration, like requiring a PIN number to be entered but also using a license plate reader to authenticate anyone who enters.

How Is It Applied?

Multifactor authentication is often thought about in terms of software but it just as easily applies to physical security as well. The difference is that physical security requires whatever means of verification you have to integrate and function with one another—that means working with someone who understands multifactor authentication. Here at Gatekeeper, we exemplify this idea through what we call the “Power of Three,” which combines our license plate reader, our driver camera, and our under vehicle scanning system.

Improving the Energy Sector With Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper Security’s suite of intelligent optical technologies provides security personnel with the tool to detect today’s threats. Our systems help those in the energy, transportation, commercial, and government sectors protect their people and their valuables by detecting threats in time to take action. From automatic under vehicle inspection systems, automatic license plate reader systems, to on the move automatic vehicle occupant identifier, we offer full 360-degree vehicle scanning to ensure any threat is found. Throughout 30 countries around the globe, Gatekeeper Security’s technology is trusted to help protect critical infrastructure. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn for updates about our technology and company.